Valve mechanism



Mar, 3, 1925. 1,528,441

5. M CLURE ET. AL

VALVE MECHANISM Filed Jan. 24. 1923 5 Sheets-Sheet 1 38 I N VEN eas 61/76 No CLUfTE F76 2 LEY 14 FHLMER S. M CLURE ET AL Mar. 3, 1925.

VALVE MECHANISM Filed Jan. 24. 1925 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 Ewen/Z02 5 SILAS McCu/RE JTfl/VLE? M F/ILMER I ATTORNEYS Patented Mas, was.

PALMER ASSIGNOR T fiMl-Ci MoCLURJE.

VALVE MECHANISM.

Application filed January $51923. serial No. 814,839.

To all iii/tom it may concern:

Be "it'known that we, SILAs MCCLURE and S'rANnnr W. PALMER, citizens of the United States, residents of Minneapolis, in the county of Hennepin and State of Minnesota,

have invented certain new and useful Tmprovements in Valve Mechanisms, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to new and useful improvements in valve mechanism and is more particularly directed to improvements in automatically controlled valvessuch, for example, as by means of changes in pressure or temperatures.- In the embodiment of the invention here shown, the'improvcd valve mechanism is illustrated and described as being adapted to be automatically controlled by temperature fluctuations and the specific form of valve is adapted .to control the flow of .gas to a common stove orrange. v

The object of the invention isto provide an improved valve mechanism A further object is to provide a com act accurate gas-valve mechanism and one w 'ich can be easily and simply corrected or calibrated particularly without openings through which gas might eventually escape. Otherobjects of the inventionwill more fully appear from the following description and the accompanying drawings and will be ointed out in the annexed claims.

nthe drawings there has been disclosed a structure designed to carry out the objects of the invention but it is to be understood that the invention is not confined to the exact features shown as various changes ma be made within the scope of the claims which follow.

In the drhwings: I Figure 1 is a 'view in front elevation of a portion of a common form of gas range, the oven being partially broken away. to show the thermostatic element;

Figure 2 is a vertical sectional view through the gas range adjacent the oven wall and showing the, oven in side elevation 'with the positioned thermostatic element.

shown in dotted lines;

to Figure 3 18:21 v ew n'plan of the novel valve mechanism and its operative connection. 7

form of gas the temperature changes,

Figure 4: is a view in side elevation of'the valve mechanism to illustrate the dial wheel jand showing the calibrating disk in dotted mes;

Figure 5 is a cross-sectional view through the valve and associated parts;

Figure 6 is a. vertical sectional view on the line 6-43 of Figure 5; I

Figure 7 is a vertical sectional view on the irregular line 7-7 of Figure '5; Figure 8 the line 8-8 of F igure 5;

Figure 9 is a vertical sectional view on is a vertical sectional view on" the line 9-9'of Figure'5 and showing the a detent and stop member" I Figure 10 is a detail view of the '.0Vn end of the thermostatic element, the tube being broken away to show a method of fixing the end of the wire to the tube; and

Figure 11 1s a perspective view of the calibrating disk.

The selected embodiment of this valve mechanism, which is shown more specifically to control the flow of fuel of gas cookingstoves or ranges. But, obviously, the mechanismis broadly adapted to control fluid flow either in response to as here shown, or in response'to other conditions automatically eil'ecting valve movement.

. The valve mechanism includes a'housing 11 having closures formed by housing by the screws le. The enclosed valve compartment is divided into an inlet chamber 15 and an outlet chamber 16 by means of a web 17 integral with the casting forming the housing. The valve seat is preferably annular in form'and is provided y the web around a circular a rture which affords a passage 18 through 1; e web. The valve 19"is' formed by a substantially conical annular enlarged portion integrally provided upon the exterior of a sleeve 21 which functions substantially as a valve stem to carry the valve. Rear-wardly, this sleeve 21 isslidably received within a recessed boss 22 inwardly projecting from the rear plate 13. This boss provides a running and guiding fit for the rear end of the sleeve. The front for purposes ofexplanation of -the invention, is one adapted.

I the front plate 12 and the rearplate 13 secured to the end of this valve sleeve is preferably provided with a resilient mounting so that the valvemay normally beheld to its seat to out oif the flow of fuel gas through the valve structure.

The front plate 12 is provided with a tapered aperture to receive the tapered block- 23. The inner end of this block is counte-rbored to provide annular walls 24 and 25 which are formed with diametrically alined slots to receive similarly alined tongues 26 terminally. formed on the valve stem sleeve. This tongue-and-slot connection between the block (which is held in relatively fixed position) and the valve sleeve permits slidable or longitudinal movement of the valve sleeve but holds the sleeve against rotation. The peripher of the annular walls 24 and'25 are threa ed adjacent their inner ends in order'to receive the nut 27 in adjustable threaded engagement thereon. The opposite faces of thisnut are preferably flattened as is shown in Figure 8 in order to facilitate adjustment of the nut. A washer 28 is positioned upon the inner face of the nut 27 and functions to hold the compression spring, 29', coiledl about the sleeve 21, against the face of the shoulder outwardly presented by the enlarged portion which forms the valve 19. This compression spring ieldably holds the valve in normal seate position.

Tension means are also provided inwardly .to pull the block so that it is maintained in position against the inner face of its tapered aperture in the front plate so that a gastight union is provided.' Such is the purpose of the compression spring 31 coiled about the inner end ortion of the block 23 and held between 't ie'"washer 32 andthe washer 33 seatedupon the inner face of the front plate 12.

Means are provided in connection with this novel valve structure whereby the move 'ment of the valve toward or from seated po-' sition may be controlled in response to predetermined conditions. Furthermore, means are also provided for the adjustment of the connection of such a controlling means with the valve so that the controlling function may be varied. And a still further major improvement resides in the provision of means for calibrating the mechanism so that correct indication of the adjustments of the mechanism may be indicated.-

In this embodiment of the lnvention such controlling meansare shown as'thermostatic in nature and as functionin in response to changes in temperature. T is specific form of thermostatic element here shown forms the subject-matter of another co-pending application by one of the joint inventors hereof and need not therefore be described in detail. Broadly, it consists of a metallic tube 34 having one endJixed to the valve valve stem. sleeve 21.

against the free end of the thermostatic housing. A form of such connection is shown in Figure 5 wherein one end of the tube is outwardly'flared in order to be positioned upon a conical seat rearwardly presented by the counterbored boss 36 pro ecting from the outer face of the rear plate 13.

mon form of gas range oven and upwardly into the usual space provided between the lining 39 and the usual oven wall 40 of the oven. The tube is curved into substantially circular form and is slidably supported by a bracket 41 mounted upon the lining 39 of the oven..

A wire 43, which is'of flexible material having a different coefficient-of expansion from that of thetube, extends longitudi- I nally through the tube. The wire is fixed to the tube at the free or oven end of the tube .and freely projects from the fixed or valve end of the tube. The preferred materials for the tube and wire are brass and steel respectively, the brass having a relatively high coefiicient of expansion while the steel has a relatively low one. However, an alloy ofsteel having a lowcoefiicient of expansion coupled with non-corrosive attributes maybe employed as the wire-material. A convenient form of fixing the end of the wire 'to the free end of the tube 34. is shown in Figure 10 wherein the end of the wire is shown as upset tightly to fill the tubewhile a metallic collar 42 is shrunk on the tube and the wire, tube and collar are brazed so that relative movement of the tube and wire are efi'ect-uallv prevented at this end and a gas-tight unioh is had. Hence, changes in temperature to which the tube and wire are subjected within the oven must result in the increased or decreased projection of the free end of the wire from the fixed valve end of the tube. The free end portion 44 of the wire, projecting from the tube is adapted to be seated within a recess rearwardlypresented b the shaft 45 which is exteriorly threade and held in threaded engagement within the The shaft is held wire by the valve spring 29.

In the position of the parts shown in Fig ure 5, the tube 34 is in a contracted position with the result that the wire 43 is projected therefrom sufiiciently to push the valve sleeve forwardly by means of the shaft 45, to hold the valve 19 in an open position llJ against the tension of the spring 29, thus permitting flow of gaseous fuel. As the oven attains the temperature for which the mechanism has been set, the tube will be expanding sufliciently to draw progressively the free end of the wire away from the shaft 45 so that the valve, under tension of its spring, will follow the wire rearwardly and gradually reduce the flow of gas through the valve passage 18. The accuracyand sensitiveness of this mechanism is such that the valve does not appreciably lag in assuming different positions responsive to temperature changes in the oven so that the flow of gas is constantly controlled and overrunning of the predetermined temperature in the oven is effectually prevented.

Means are provided for the adjustment of the connection between the thermostatic wire and the valve structure so that the mechanism may be set to control the flow of gas in order to bring the oven temperature to, and maintain it at, a. predetermined degree. Adjustment of the cylindrical shaft 45 within the valve stem sleeve 21 functions to move the sleeve and valve 19 relatively, to the shaft. 1 Because the shaftis tension-"' ably held against the free end of the thermo-wire 43,'rotation of the thus-held shaft will cause the non-rotatable sleeve to assume a longitudinally variant position on the shaft and thus relatively move the valve closer to or away from its seat.

The externally tapered block 23 is pro vided with a central tapered aperture to receive the similarly tapered plug 46 inwardly terminating in a tongue 47. This tongue is adapted to be slidably, but nonrotatably, received within an elongated recess in the forward end of the adjusting shaft 45. The front portion of this tapered plug 46 is threaded to receive the nut 48. A compression spring 49 is coiled about this plug portion and held between the nut 48 and the block so that the tapered plug is firmly held in a gas-tight seated position which permits rotation of the plug rela tively to the block without the necessity for stufi'mg-boxes, gaskets, etc. The adjustment of the position of the valve relativelyto the shaft may conveniently be effected by means of an indicator wheel 51 having a flange 52 upon which are placed temperature indications in degrees running from minimum to maximum over the desired range which in this use of the mechanism may be from 150 degrees to 550 degrees Fahrenheit. The wheel 51 is mounted upon the lug 46 to rotate therewith and for this purpose the wheel is formed with a central aperture which is circular except for one .fiattened or chord-like portion to fit upon a complementarily formed terminal portion of the plug as shown in dotted lines in Figure 4. The advantage of having only one side of" the wheel aperture and plug flattened is that the \vheel can only be mounted or replaced in correct position.

thereafter maintain it The screw 54 is received in threaded engagement" within the end of the plug and demountably retains the wheel in its operative position. A score-mark, such as an arrow 55, may be placed upon the upper margin of the front plate 12 to co-operate with the wheel indications. Thus, by means of the co-operable front plate score-mark and'the various wheel indications, the wheel de es.

cans are provided to prevent more than ()ba complete rotation of the dial wheel.

viously, if the user were able to turn the wlh'eel more than one revolution, and in doing so' forgot to turn it back correctly, the sleeve and shaft would be misplaced with reference to the co-operative scale indications and the score-mark so that the device would not accurately function. Such occurrence is prevented b the employment of a detent co-operable with a fixed part of the valve housing. The detent-pin 56 is fixed to the enlarged rear. end of the shaft 45 in a position so that its arcuate path is intercepted by a boss 5 forwardly projecting from the inner face of the rear plate 13. The pin 56 and its stopping boss 5 are so arranged that the dial wheel rotation is stopped from movement at a point beyond the maximum degree mark and below the minimum degree mark. This arrangement prevents the device from being regulated to ion a too-great heat or to a too-low heat, as,

well as reventing derangement of cooperable adjustment of the valve and shaft with relation to the dial wheel and. its fixed score-mark. Thus, the few parts of this valve mechanism are such as to permit. accurate fitting and assembly at the factory so that the mechanism may be quickly. installed in a range. In use, the rotation of the wheel so that the desired degree notation is opposite the score-mark, causes the rotation of the adjusting shaft 45 with relation to its threaded valve-carrying sleeve 21. The sleeve, while permitted longitudinal movement, is held against rotation by its tongueand-slot connection with the stationary block 23. 'Thus rotation of the wheel and shaft changes the relative positions of the,

valve 19 and shaft so that How of gas past the valve may be changed while the shaft occupies the same position. For example. assume the oven temperature in the position of the mechanism shown in Fig. 5 is 250 deg. F. and itbe desired to raise the oven temperature to 350 deg. F. The user turns the dial wheel in a clockwise direction until the 350 deg. F. notation on the wheel is opposite the arrow on the front plate. Thus,

the shaft, which is constantly held in abut ting relation with the thermo-wire 43, does not move longitudinally, but does rotate with the wheel and therefor the sleeve (which cannot rotate) is moved longitudinally towardthe wheel or forwardly. Such forward movement of the wheel moves the conical valve 19 further away from its seat and permits the increased flow of gas to the oven burner whereby the oven tempera ture is increased. As the oven temperature is increased toward the desired degree, the tube 34 and thermo-wire 43 are correspondingly heated and the differential of expansion draws theterminal portion 44 of the wire rearwardly so that the valve tensionably moves rearwardly to reduce the flow of gas. Movement of the wheel by the user in a counter-clockwise direction correspondingly moves the valve sleeve rearwardly with relation to the regulating shaft 45 so that a lessened flow of gas for the same wire and shaft position results.

A feature of major importance in this novel invention consists in the provision of an improved means of calibration. That is, if for any reason the setting of the mechanism for the attainment of the desired oven temperature does not result in the maintenance of the corresponding actual oven temperature, then the indicating mechanism may be re-set. This mechanism may be reset or calibrated by a few simple adjustments which may be made without necessity of shuttin danger of leakage.

- This calibration is effected by regulating the normally operative position of the valvecarrying sleeve 21 with relation-to the shaft. This is conveniently done by rotation of the v block 23 which occupies a normally fixed position. The calibrating disk 10 shown in Figure 11 has a central aperture which is circular except for a straight portion in thedirection of a chord. This disk is positioned upon the complementarily formed shoulder on the front end of the block 23. Such conformation assures the accurate assembly of the disk and block. The set-screw 20 is received in threaded engagement in the front plate 12 and its head overhangs'the peripheral portion of the disk to hold the disk and block in a normally fixed relation to the housing and yet permit adjustment of the disk by partial or complete rotation as necessary. Preferably a spacing washer 30 is carried by the set screw between the front plate and disk. By such construction, this calibrating disk is concealed during all normal operation of the mechanism. Furthermore, the tongue-and-slot connection of the block and sleeve permits this longitudinal and rotatable calibrating movement in the same manner that the similar kind of connection between the plug 46 and regulating off the flow of gas thereto or lent to five or ten degree marks upon the wheel. A simple means for turning the disk is provided by the spaced opposed tabs 50 stamped from the metal of the disk. A device such as a screw-driver may have its end inserted between the radially alined sets of tabs and the disk thereby turned clockwise or counter-clockwise as necessary for re-setting. Access is afforded to the calibrating disk by removal of the screw 54 and demounting of the indicator wheel 51. A guide or zero mark is provided by an arrow 9 placed upon the front plate 12 adjacent the disk. This arrow is useful in indicating movement of the disk during calibrating.

In describing the calibration of this mech anism, it may be assumed that there is a discrepancy between the oven temperature and that for which the wheel 51 has been set. Such discrepancy may be accurately determined by placing a Fahrenheit thermometer within the oven, taking such reading and by comparison with the wheel indication, the number of degrees Fahrenheit of variation may be determined. Assume that the actual oven temperature is too low by 00 degrees. The indicator wheel is then turned counterclockwise beyond the minimum scale marks until the shaft detent pin 56 strikes the boss 5. Holding the wheel in such position, the screw 54 is removed, and the wheel demounted. Thedisk set-screw 20 may then be loosened by a screw-driver and the end of the screw-driver inserted in the alined tabs and the calibrating disk turned counter-clockwise m degrees with relation to the arrow 9. The set-screw 20 may then be tightened to hold the disk in such calibrated position and the wheel thereafter restored to assembled position. In the event, the thermometer test showed the actual oven temperature too high, then the same steps are followed exceptthat the wheel is turned to its limit of travel in a clockwise direction and the calibrating disk is also turned clockwise through the necessary number of degrees with relation to its fixed arrow 9. i

This novel valve structure is particularly useful in connection with gas heated ovens because of its compact design. The present structures usedfor such purpose are relatively large, unwieldy and expensive, not only increasing the amount of .kitchen space necessary but also entailing increased difficulty of crating and shipping and liability to damage. Furthermore, the present devices whether applied to the side or front of the ovens require special piping of the gas from the burner manifold and the regulating valve is located at a distance from the usual mixing chamber of the oven burner; This latter disadvantage increases the difficulty ill) ltltl i of controlling the gas volume to desired low oven temperature because the gas must be piped from the burner'manifold to the regulating device and then the regulated flow is carried through a relatively long passage to the mixing chamber.

This novel valve mechanism may be car-, ried at the end of the usual burner manifold adjacent the mixing chamber or mixer of the oven burner. In the'drawings there is shown the usual burner manifold 57, which supplies gas to the usual cooking burner mixers 58. The novel valve housing 11 is formed with anintegral head 59 hav-. ing a threaded recess 61 to receive the threaded end of the-manifold 57. The inner longitudinal side of this housing head 59 is bored to provide a gas conduit 62 leading from the recess 61 to the integral nipple 63 adapted to receive in threaded engagement the usual nozzle 64., projecting into the usual oven burner mixer 70. A tapered aperture is transversely. bored throu h the housing to intersect the conduit 62 and the similarly tapered valve p1ug-65 is seated therein and held in a gas-tight position by means of the compression spring 66 held between the housing and the nuts 67 terminally borne by the plug. The valve plug is transversely bored to form a duct 68, adapted upon turning. ofthe plug by its handle 69, to be in alinement with the conduit 62 aflording. unim peded flow of gas from the recess 61 to the oven burner mixer 70. This plug. is also.

cut away upon one side to'provide a pass 71 when in the position shown injFigure 5 so that the gas may freely pass from the supplyside of the conduit 62 1110 the inlet port 72 leading through the housing casting to the inlet chamber 15'. The outlet chamber 16,. upon the other side of the valve seat, has an outlet port 73 leading to the delivery sideof the conduit. Hence, when the manually operablevalve plu is in the position shown in Figures 5 anc l 6 the flow of gas from the manifold to the oven' burner is controlled b the thermostatic device. It is prefers. le to provide a by-pass around the automatically con trolled valve in 'order' that sufiicient gas may be supplied as a pilot-light to the oven burner during automatic control to prevent failure of ignition. Such a bypass is provided by the duct 74:- The flow through this by-pass may be regulated by the needle valve 75 received in adjustable threaded engagement within the threaded boring 7 6 which intersects the by-pass duct 74 so that graduated flow may be had or flow entirely stopped.

Itwill be noted that this particular mechanism is shown as adapted for use with what may be termed a left-hand oven, i. e., a. stove in which the oven is placed at the terior of the valve left of the usual cooking burners. The mechanism may be easily changed for a right-hand oven. In such case, for the by-pas's needle valve may be oppositely formed and the valve placed in reversed positions as is indicated by the dotted lines of the slotted end of the stem as the boring shown in Figure 7. Likewise, the manually operable" valve may have its aperture reversely tapered and the plug maybe reversely positioned as is indicated by the dotted-line showing of its handle in Fi ure 6. In making such change, the chor side of the circular opening in the indicator wheel must be diametrically opposite. This is preferably done by initially stamping out such wheels for left or right use, and finally the arrow 55 may be repeated on the diametrically opposite side of the margin of the front plate 12 so that when the ,housing is turned through a semi-circle for connection with the left side manifold, the other arrow will be upwardly presented.

When the valve handle is in the position shown-in Figures 3 and 6, the valve plug 65 is turned to static control of the oven burner. The handle 69, when turned to the median dotted .line position shown in Figure 5, cuts off completely the supply of gas through the conduit 62. Such is the full-line position of the handle 69 shown in Figure 1. The handle 69 may also be turned to the upper dotted line position shown in Figure 5 whereat the duct 68 is in alinement with the conduitv 62 and full flow-of gas is afforded to the oven burner and the port 72 to the automatic control is cut ofi'. Preferably, a detent pin 77 is provided to project from the housing as is shown in Figure 3 to prevent the handle from being normally turnableto'such manually controlled osition. However, this pin is demountab e to provide such control to the exclusion of the automatic. A pin 78 projects from the ex plug 65 and is adapted to abut against a shoulder upon the exterior of the housing as is shown in Figure 3 in order to arrest the plug so that the pass 71 may properly direct the gas to the inlet port leading to the inlet chamber.

Having thus described our invention, what we claim as new and desire to secure by Letters-Patent. is:

.1. In a'valve mechanism, the combination of a valve housing, a valveseat therein, a regulatin member, a valve adjustably connected to t e member and co-operable with the valve seat, indicating means connected to the member to regulate the position of the member and valve, and means to adjust the position of the valve with relation to the member whereby the mechanism may be calibrated.

2. In a valve mechanism, the combination provide the automatic thermoof a valve housing, a valve seat therein, a regulating shaft, a valve adjustably connected to the shaft and co-operable with the valve seat, indicating means connected to the shaft to regulate the position of the shaft and valve, and means to adjust the position of the valve with relation to the shaft whereby the mechanism may be calibrated.

3. In a valve mechanism, the combination of a valve housing, a thermostatic element, a valve, a regulating member having rotatably adjustable engagement with the valve and arranged to be controlled by the thermostatic element, means connected to said member normally to regulate valve-position, and means normally preventing rotation of the valve but operable to permit valve-rotation to change the adjustable engagement of the member and valve whereby the mechanism may be calibrated.

4. In a valve mechanism, the combination of a valve housing, a thermostatic element having its free end extending within the housing, a valve, a regulating member having rotatably adjustable engagement with the valve, tension means yieldably to urge the valve toward seated position and-to hold the regulating member against the free end of the element whereby the position of the member and valve is controlled by the element, means connected to the member normally to regulate valve-position, and means normally preventing rotation of the valve but operable to permit valve-rotation to change the adjustable engagement of the member and valve whereby the mechanism may be calibrated,

5. In a valve mechanism, the combination of a valve housing, a thermostatic element, a valve, a regulating member having rotatably adjustable engagement with the valve and arranged to be controlled by the thermostatic element, means connected to the member normally to regulate valve-position, and locking means connected to the valve to prevent rotation thereof, said locking means being releasable and adaptedto rotate the valve to adjust its normal operable relation to the regulating member whereby the mech anism may be calibrated.

6. In a valve mechanism, the combination of a valve housing, a thermostatic element, a valve, a regulating member having rotatably adjustable engagement with the valve and arranged to be controlled by the thermostatie element, means connected to the member normally to regulatevalve-position,

locking means connected to the valve to prevent rotation thereof, said locking means being releasable and adapted .to rotate the valve to adjust its normal operable relation to the regulating member whereby the mechanism may be calibrated, and co-operable indicia on-said locking means and housing movement thereof by the element, and means to prevent valve-rotation whereby rotation of said controlling member may regulate valve-position.

8. In a valve mechanism, the combination of a valve housing, a thermostatic element, a re lating shaft adapted to have its longitu inal position controlled by the thermostatic element, a valve normally movable with the shaft and having a rotatably ad-v justable engagement therewith, means adapted to prevent valve-rotation, a shaftcontrolling member rotatably borne by the housing and extending therethrough, said member being connected to the shaft to permit' longitudinal movement thereof and to rotate the same with relation to the valve, and means on the exterior portion of said controlling member to rotate the same whereby valve-position may be regulated.

9. In a valve mechanism, the combination of a valve housing, a thermostatic element, a valve, a regulating shaft having rotatably adjustable engagement with the valve and arranged to be controlled by the thermostatic element, means connectible to said shaft normally to regulate valve-position, valve-engaging means extending through the housing and borne thereby to permit rotatable but not longitudinal movement, said valve-engaging means being adapted to permit relative longitudinal movement of the valve but to prevent relative rotation thereof, and .means normally to lock said valve-engaging means in fixed position, said locking means beingreleasable whereby the valve may be rotated relatively to the sha ft to calibrate the mechanism.

10. In a valve mechanism, the combination of a valve housing, a thermostatic element, a valve, a regulating shaft having rotatably adjustable engagement with the valve and arranged to be controlled by the thermostatic element, a shaft-controlling member extending through the housing and borne thereby to permit rotatable but not longitudinal moyement said controlling member being connected to the shaft to rotate the same and to permit relative longitudinal Inn maaaazt able but not longitudinal movement, sahl may be rotated relatively to the shaft to valve-engaging means being adapted to percalibrate the mechanism.

mit relative longitudinal movement of the In witness whereof, We have hereunto set 1 valve but to prevent relative rotation there our hands this twentieth day of January, of, and means normally to lock said. valve- 1923.

engaging means in fixed position, said lock- SILAS MGCLURE.

ing means being releasable whereby the valve STANLEY W. PALMER. 

